POST FALLS — It was a surprise to Stephen Godfrey — but not much of a surprise to those who know him — that he was named Post Falls American Legion Post 143's Legionnaire of the Year.

"I'm kind of lost for words, which is unusual," he said after the announcement was made Saturday night. "I wasn't expecting this at all. I do what I do freely, wasn't expecting any kind of accolades for doing it, but I appreciate it."

Godfrey, who served in the U.S. Army for 26-and-a-half years, has been a member of the Post Falls American Legion for three years. He has served as the second vice commander of Post 143 for two years and will again run for the position in April.

"Unless somebody's going against me, I'll be it for another two years," he said with a chuckle.

At the time Godfrey was first hired to do some work at the Legion, the Post was in need of a second vice commander to take over maintenance. Post Commander Jim Culpepper said he and Adjutant Tim Shaw thought Godfrey would be the man to step into the role.

"We recruited him for that position, which he did, and we never regretted that decision," Culpepper said. "No task was too big for a man with a get-it-done attitude. When something breaks down, it's fixed right away. He has been and will continue to be a great asset to this Post."

Godfrey was among about a dozen to be honored at the Post Falls American Legion's annual awards banquet. Those recognized for service, excellence and community contributions included the Legion's top picks for first responders, volunteers, educators and Legion and Auxiliary members.

The evening featured a keynote speech by combat veteran, 9/11 survivor and Post 143 Honor Guard Commander Ken Johnson.

"All of you in this room tonight share a very common thread," he said. "Somewhere in your upbringing at some time in your life, it was laid upon you to do your part to serve and to be of service to others."

He posed the question, "Does it make a difference how you serve or just that you do serve?" then asked, "Is what you do simply a job or a task, or is this a calling in your life?"

"Webster's Dictionary defines a job or a task as 'something done for private advantage, a piece of work to be done,'" he said. "Webster's Dictionary further defines a calling as 'a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action, especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.'"

He quoted scripture, 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

"What you do on a daily basis truly embodies the humanitarian heart and spirit in each and every one of you," Johnson said. "Your selfless service is a shining testimony of your care, your concern and your compassion for the needs of others."

Other Post 143 honorees from the evening:

• Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Deputy of the Year: Detective Derrick Hollenbeck
• Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Detention Officer of the Year: Jackson Davenport
• Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Emergency Communications Officer of the Year: Janyce Wadsworth 

• Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Firefighter of the Year: Shea Vucinich
• Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Paramedic of the Year: Lan DeLand

• Post Falls School District Educator of the Year: Trina Caudle

• Post 143 Volunteers of the Year: David Hatch and John Nagel
• Post 143 Auxiliary of the Year: Renee Johannsen
• Post 143 Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year: Lori Cuentas

• Business Partner of the Year: Sir Speedy

    Post Falls School District Superintendent Dena Naccarato, left, and American Legion Post 143 Commander Jim Culpepper celebrate Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Trina Caudle as she receives the Post 143 Educator of the Year Award during a Saturday night banquet at the Post.
  

    Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Christopher Way, left, shakes the hand of Shea Vucinich, who was recognized Saturday night as Firefighter of the Year.
  

    Attendees clap and friends reach out to congratulate Lori Cuentas as it is announced Saturday that she is the American Legion Post 143 Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year.
  

    Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Emergency Communications Officer of the Year Janyce Wadsworth shakes Post Falls American Legion Post 143 Commander Jim Culpepper's hand Saturday night as she receives her award. Wadsworth, a training coordinator and supervisor, worked over 840 hours of overtime just in the last year.